Analytical Lab Manager: Pilot Plant Operations
Lithium Americas is a development-stage company with a focus on developing a sustainable, diversified supply of lithium chemicals that underpin the future of energy storage and mobile transportation. We unlock value through safe operation of our sites, understanding the key value drivers and needs of our customers and the communities in which we operate, and taking an innovative and practical approach to the challenges we face. We work closely as an organization and with key stakeholders to deliver solutions.
Role
The Analytical lab manager will be tasked with supporting Lithium Nevada’s efforts in building and operating an integrated continuous pilot plant. You will act as the manager over all analytical laboratory activities at the Lithium Americas’ Technical Center. The major analytical instrumentation includes: Agilent 5500/5600 ICP-OES, Malvern Mastersizer 3000, Thermo ICS 6000 ion chromatograph, and Thermo iCE 3000 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.
A major aspect of the role is to supervise and act as the main point to the operations and engineering teams on all matters related to the laboratory. The successful candidate will have experience managing QC, data approvals, method development and refinement, reporting and laboratory information management systems. Experience with buildout of a laboratory from the ground up is desirable. Flexibility is a must, where priorities and procedures may change frequently. Of utmost importance is to ensure data integrity and timely and accurate throughput of samples through the lab. You will supervise a team of 2 lead analytical shift chemists and will be interacting with shifting operations crew supervisors and engineers. Therefore, you should be comfortable with open communication across multiple teams and acting in a supervisory role. The candidate must be a proven analytical manager in the areas of mining or chemical process manufacturing and have demonstrated successful method development and productivity improvements in analytical chemistry. Experience with analysis of products with stringent quality specifications is preferred.
The position will be based in Reno, Nevada.
Responsibilities
As a key member of the team, we would look to you to deliver on the following:
- Ensure smooth and efficient operations of all facets of the analytical laboratory.
- Implementation of high-quality QC procedures and input/approval of data into a laboratory information management system.
- Prepare QC reports that will be used for external auditing purposes.
- Solve problems and contribute ideas to improve analytical laboratory operations.
- Use experience and knowledge to drive method development and continuous improvement of analytical methods.
- Supervise/direct a crew of 2 lead analytical chemists and sample prep crew.
- Integrate and grow the sites analytical information management systems where necessary to help capture and maintain analytical data.
- Train plant and technical personnel in proper sampling procedures, operation of QC and R&D equipment and QC record keeping when required.
- Support R&D and Operations as the analytical representative to support the business where needed for projects.
- Help ensure a safe working environment, being a visible leader for safety, and providing a daily commitment to zero harm to employees, contractors, environment at the Technical Center.
- Ensure Environmental considerations are a close second to Safety in all aspects of project and operations in the Technical Center.
Requirements
- BS/MS/PhD in analytical chemistry or equivalent and relevant experience in analytical laboratory management required.
- Personal commitment to Lithium Americas’ core cultural values of safety, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.
- Effective and open communication.
- Ability to multi-task and run several projects/tasks in parallel.
- Be a self-starter: highly motivated, able to work independently, with high energy.
- Bring a positive attitude and have fun in the workplace! We strive to create and maintain an enjoyable and comfortable work environment.
- Familiarity with day to day operations of a mining or chemical process manufacturing laboratory.
- Comfortable with training others.
Lithium Nevada Corp. (LNC) is a subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC). Lithium Americas Corp. is a Canadian publicly listed company with two advanced-stage lithium development projects, in Argentina and Nevada, USA. We value diversity in the workplace and are committed to employment equity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates.
